CN111488129A

CN111488129A - Electric device, storage medium, and state management method

Info

Publication number: CN111488129A
Application number: CN202010071551.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 井户一彦
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2019-01-28
Filing date: 2020-01-21
Publication date: 2020-08-04
Also published as: US20200244826A1; JP2020119430A

Abstract

The invention aims to enable a user to intuitively know a phenomenon including a phenomenon that at least one of a plurality of functions is obstructed or possibly obstructed in an electric device with the plurality of functions when the phenomenon is obstructed or possibly obstructed. According to the multifunction peripheral (10) as an electric device of the present invention, when a phenomenon that at least any one of a plurality of functions provided by the multifunction peripheral (10) is or may be obstructed occurs, logos (142a) and (144a) are added to function selection icons (142) and (144) corresponding to functions that are or may be obstructed by the phenomenon. The logos (142a, 144a) are displayed in a form corresponding to the relationship between the corresponding functions and phenomena.

Description

Electric device, storage medium, and state management method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical device, a state management program in the electrical device, and a state management method, and more particularly to an electrical device having a plurality of functions, a state management program in the electrical device, and a state management method.

Background

As an electric device having a plurality of functions, for example, a smartphone is known. That is, the smartphone has a telephone function, an email function, a memo function, and the like. Patent document 1 discloses a technology related to a smartphone, and strictly speaking, a technology related to an electrical device (apparatus) having a display with a touch panel. According to the technique disclosed in patent document 1, a lock screen including an application icon corresponding to an application for realizing an appropriate function is displayed on a display with a touch panel. When the application program has new information, an information icon is displayed on the application icon corresponding to the application program. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that the application corresponding to the application icon has the new information after seeing the information icon displayed on the application icon.

Documents of the prior art

[ patent document ]

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2013-93020

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

In addition to a smartphone, an example of an electric device having a plurality of functions is a MultiFunction Peripheral (MFP), which is a kind of image forming apparatus. That is, the multifunction peripheral has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, and a video scanner function (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "scanner function"). In such a multifunction device, there may be a case where at least one of the plurality of functions provided in the multifunction device is obstructed or may be obstructed, such as paper exhaustion or paper jam. When such a phenomenon occurs, it is extremely advantageous for the user to be able to intuitively know the phenomenon, including what kind of function the phenomenon may cause an obstacle or may cause an obstacle.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel technique for enabling a user to intuitively know a phenomenon that at least one of a plurality of functions is or may be obstructed when the phenomenon is generated in an electric device having the plurality of functions, including which function is or may be obstructed by the phenomenon.

Means for solving the problems

To achieve the object, the present invention includes the 1 st invention related to the electric device, the 2 nd invention related to the state management program in the electric device, and the 3 rd invention related to the state management method in the electric device.

The invention 1 related to the electric device is premised on that the electric device has a plurality of functions. On this premise, the present invention 1 has a display control unit. The display control unit causes an operation screen including a plurality of operators to be displayed on a display surface of the display unit. Here, the plurality of operators correspond to the plurality of functions, respectively, and can accept a selection operation by a user for selecting any one of the plurality of functions. When a phenomenon that at least any one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or may be obstructed occurs, the display control unit adds a display symbol indicating that the phenomenon occurs to an operator corresponding to each function that will be obstructed or may be obstructed by the phenomenon.

Preferably, the display control means adds the indicator in a form corresponding to a relationship between a function corresponding to the operator to which the indicator is added and a phenomenon represented by the indicator (degree of relationship).

Also, when a plurality of phenomena occur, the display control unit adds a display symbol for each phenomenon.

In addition, the present invention 1 may further include 1 st information output means. When the phenomenon occurs, the 1 st information output unit outputs 1 st information related to the phenomenon.

In this case, the 1 st information output means may output the 1 st information by displaying the 1 st screen including the 1 st information on the display surface of the display means.

In addition, the present invention 1 may further include an operation receiving means and a 2 nd information output means. The operation accepting unit accepts an information output operation by a user. The 2 nd information output means outputs the 2 nd information relating to the phenomenon that has not been eliminated at the time point when the operation reception means has received the information output operation.

In this case, the 2 nd information output means may output the 2 nd information by displaying the 2 nd screen including the 2 nd information on the display surface of the display means.

Further, the 2 nd information output means may display the 2 nd screen including a plurality of 2 nd information related to a plurality of phenomena when the plurality of phenomena are not eliminated at the time point when the operation reception means has received the information output operation.

In addition, the present invention 1 may further include a nullifying unit. The invalidation unit disables the operator corresponding to the function that is disabled by the phenomenon from receiving the selection operation.

In this case, the display control means may display an operator that has been rendered unable to accept the selection operation by the invalidation means in a form different from that of another operator.

In addition, the present invention 1 may further include the display unit. That is, the electric device of the present invention 1 may have a display unit.

An example of the electric device according to claim 1 is a multifunction device.

The state management program in the electric device according to claim 2 of the present invention is premised on that the electric device has a plurality of functions. On this premise, the present invention 2 is to make a computer of an electric device execute a display control sequence. In this display control sequence, an operation screen including a plurality of operators is displayed on the display surface of the display unit. Here, the plurality of operators correspond to the plurality of functions, respectively, and can accept a selection operation by a user for selecting any one of the plurality of functions. In the display control sequence, when a phenomenon that at least one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or possibly obstructed occurs, a display symbol indicating that the phenomenon occurs is added to an operator corresponding to each function that is obstructed or possibly obstructed by the phenomenon.

The method for managing the state of the electric device according to claim 3 of the present invention is also based on the premise that the electric device has a plurality of functions. On this premise, the present invention 3 includes a display control step. In the display control step, an operation screen including a plurality of operators is displayed on a display surface of the display unit. Here, the plurality of operators correspond to the plurality of functions, respectively, and can accept a selection operation by a user for selecting any one of the plurality of functions. In the display control step, when a phenomenon that at least one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or possibly obstructed occurs, a display symbol indicating that the phenomenon occurs is attached to an operator corresponding to each function that is obstructed or possibly obstructed by the phenomenon.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, in an electric apparatus having a plurality of functions, when a phenomenon that at least any one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or may be obstructed occurs, a user can intuitively know which function is obstructed or may be obstructed by the phenomenon.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral in embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing still another example of the display screen of the display device in embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a view showing a list of phenomena in embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a diagram conceptually showing the structure of the phenomenon table in embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the state management table in embodiment 1.

Fig. 15 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the notification management table in embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 is a memory map conceptually showing the configuration in the RAM of the main storage unit in embodiment 1.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of the state management task in embodiment 1.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the notification task in embodiment 1.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the display update task in embodiment 1.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the home screen display task in embodiment 1.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the re-notification task in embodiment 1.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display according to embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display according to embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[1 st embodiment ]

The embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described by taking the mfp 10 shown in fig. 1 as an example.

The multifunction peripheral 10 according to embodiment 1 is one type of image forming apparatus, and has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the mfp 10 showing the front surface, the top surface, and the right side surface of the mfp 10 in a usable state. That is, the vertical direction in fig. 1 corresponds to the vertical direction of the multifunction device 10. The lower left in fig. 1 corresponds to the front of the mfp 10, and the upper right in fig. 1 corresponds to the rear of the mfp 10. The upper left in fig. 1 corresponds to the left of the multifunction device 10, and the lower right in fig. 1 corresponds to the right of the multifunction device 10.

An image reading unit 12 as an example of an image reading unit is provided on the upper portion of (the housing of) the mfp 10. The image reading unit 12 is responsible for image reading processing of reading an image of an unillustrated document and outputting two-dimensional image data corresponding to the image of the document. Therefore, the image reading section 12 has a document table, not shown, on which a document is placed. The document table is formed of a transparent member such as a flat plate-like glass. A document pressing cover 14 for pressing a document placed on the document platen is provided above the document platen. The document pressing cover 14 is openably and closably attached via a hinge not shown. An image reading unit having a light source, a mirror, a lens, a linear sensor, and the like, which are not shown, and a driving mechanism for moving the image reading unit along the lower surface of the document table are provided below the document table.

An Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 16 is provided above the Document pressing cover 14. The automatic document feeder 16 includes a document tray 16a on which a plurality of sheets of documents can be stacked. The automatic document feeder 16 feeds documents placed on the document placement tray 16a to the image reading position of the image reading unit 12 one by one. Note that the automatic document feeder 16 may not be provided because it is an optional device.

An image forming unit 18 as an image forming means is provided below the image reading unit 12. The image forming unit 18 is responsible for image forming processing for forming an image on an image recording medium, such as paper, in a sheet form (not shown) fed one by the paper feed unit 20 by a known electrophotographic method (the carson method). The image forming process may correspond to both black and white and color. Therefore, the image forming section 18 includes a photoreceptor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like, which are not shown, for each of the 4 components of the CMYK color mode. In particular, the developing device has a not-shown toner cartridge. The sheet subjected to the image forming process by the image forming unit 18, that is, the printed sheet, is discharged to the center tray 22, which is a main discharge tray.

The paper feed unit 20 includes a plurality of, for example, 4 paper feed cassettes 20a, … …. The paper feeding cassettes 20a, and … … generally contain paper sheets of different sizes, but paper sheets of the same size may be contained in some or all of the paper feeding cassettes 20a, and … …. Each of the paper feed cassettes 20a, and … … is assigned a tray number. For example, each of the paper feed cassettes 20a, and … … is referred to as "tray [1 ]", "tray [2 ]", and … … in accordance with the tray number. The central tray 22, which is the main discharge tray, is formed by the internal space between the image reading unit 12 and the image forming unit 18, but the main discharge tray may be formed by other structures. A side cover 24 is provided on the right side of the mfp 10. Although not shown, the side cover 24 becomes a manual tray serving as an auxiliary paper feeding unit when opened. Also, if the side cover 24 is opened, another cover body appears. When the other cover is opened, the other cover becomes a side tray serving as an auxiliary discharge tray.

Focusing again on the upper portion of the mfp 10, an operation unit 26 having a substantially rectangular plate shape is provided in the front portion of the upper portion of the mfp 10, specifically, in the front portion of (the casing of) the image reading unit 12. One main surface of the operation unit 26 is slightly inclined toward the front of the multifunction device 10, in other words, the one main surface is directed obliquely upward. A display 26b with a touch panel 26a is provided on the upper surface, which is one main surface of the operation unit 26. A power saving button 26c and a home button 26d are provided on the upper surface of the operation unit 26.

The display 26b with the touch panel 26a is a member in which a display 26b having a rectangular display surface and a sheet-like touch panel 26a superimposed on the display surface of the display 26b are integrally combined, the touch panel 26a is an example of a touch operation reception unit capable of receiving a touch operation by a user using the multifunction peripheral 10, and is, for example, a capacitive panel, the display 26b is an example of a display unit, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display (L CD), various information can be displayed on the display surface of the display 26b, and in particular, various screens such as a screen 100 described later are displayed, the touch panel 26a is not limited to the capacitive type, and may be a panel of another type such as an electromagnetic induction type, a resistive film type, an infrared type, and the like, and the display 26b is not limited to a liquid crystal display, but may be an organic electroluminescence (E L) display and the like.

The power saving button 26c is, for example, a capacitance type switch, and is provided on the right side of the display 26b with the touch panel 26 a. The power saving button 26c is an example of a mode switching operation reception unit that can receive a mode switching operation by a user for switching the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 10. That is, each time the power saving button 26c is operated (pressed), the operation mode of the mfp 10 is changed from one of the normal mode and the power saving mode to the other. The power saving button 26c is not limited to the capacitance type switch, and may be a hard key other than the capacitance type switch.

Here, the normal mode is a mode when the mfp 10 is in a normal state. In the normal mode, the multifunction peripheral 10 is in a state of being warmed up, that is, a state of being able to immediately respond to an instruction from the outside including any operation made by the user. In the normal mode, when the power saving button 26c is operated, the operation mode of the mfp 10 is changed from the normal mode to the power saving mode. The power saving mode is a mode when the mfp 10 is in a power saving state. In the power saving mode, power supply to some elements such as the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 18, and the display 26b with the touch panel 26a is stopped. In the power saving mode, when the power saving button 26c is operated, the operation mode of the mfp 10 is changed from the power saving mode to the normal mode. This power supply to each element for which power supply is stopped, that is, warm-up is started. In the normal mode, when the state in which the user does not perform any operation on the mfp 10 (operation section 26) is maintained for a predetermined transition period by performing setting (system setting), the operation mode of the mfp 10 can be automatically shifted from the normal mode to the power saving mode (automatic power off).

The home button 26d is, for example, a capacitance type switch, similar to the power saving button 26 c. The home button 26d is provided on the right side of the display 26b with the touch panel 26a, that is, beside the power saving button 26 c. The home button 26d is an example of a return home operation accepting means capable of accepting a return home operation by the user for displaying a home screen image 100 described later on the display 26 b. The home button 26d is not limited to the capacitance type switch, and may be a hard key other than the capacitance type switch.

The user usually stands in front of the mfp 10 and uses the mfp 10, and particularly manipulates the operation unit 26. In order to improve the operability and visibility of the operation section 26 to the user at this time, as described above, the upper surface of the operation section 26 is slightly inclined toward the front side of the mfp 10. The operation unit 26 is provided rotatably about a coupling portion with the image reading unit 12 so that the inclination angle of the upper surface thereof can be changed within an appropriate range.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the mfp 10. As shown in fig. 2, the multifunction peripheral 10 includes the image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 18, and the operation unit 26, as well as a control unit 30, an auxiliary storage unit 32, a communication unit 34, and an input/output interface (I/O) unit 36. These elements are connected to each other via a common bus 50. The image reading unit 12, the image forming unit 18, and the operation unit 26 are also as described above. In fig. 2, elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

The control unit 30 is an example of a control unit that controls the entire mfp 10. Therefore, the control Unit 30 includes a computer as a control execution means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 a. The control unit 30 also has a main storage unit 30b as a main storage unit directly accessible to the CPU30 a. Although not shown, the main storage unit 30b includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the CPU30a, i.e., firmware. The RAM is configured as a work area and a buffer area when the CPU30a executes processing based on the control program. The main storage unit 30b includes a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory, not shown. The nonvolatile memory stores data that may be rewritten, such as a phenomenon table 300 described later. Also, when firmware is updated as described below, the updated firmware is stored in the nonvolatile memory.

The auxiliary storage unit 32 is an example of an auxiliary storage means, and includes, for example, a hard disk drive not shown. The auxiliary storage unit 32 may include a different rewritable nonvolatile memory from the main storage unit 30 b. The auxiliary storage unit 32 stores therein various data such as image data output from the image reading unit 12 or data received via the communication unit 34, which will be described later, as necessary.

The communication unit 34 is AN example of a communication means, and is connected to a Network such as L AN (L optical Area Network), not shown, to perform bidirectional communication processing via the Network, and suitable external devices such as a server, a Personal Computer (PC), and a router, not shown, are provided as communication targets via the Network, and the communication unit 34 is also connected to a public telephone line, not shown, to perform bidirectional communication processing via the public telephone line, and a facsimile device, not shown, is provided as a communication target via the public telephone line.

The input/output interface unit 36 is an example of an interface unit, and is responsible for connection between the control unit 30 and various electrical components not shown. Examples of the electric components include a paper conveyance sensor, a paper feed sensor, and a paper discharge sensor. The paper conveyance sensor senses (the position of) paper conveyed in (the housing of) the mfp 10. In other words, the paper conveyance sensor is also an element that senses a paper jam when the paper being conveyed in the mfp 10 is stopped in the middle of the conveyance, that is, when a paper jam occurs. The paper feed sensor senses the presence or absence of paper in each paper feed cassette 20a, that is, whether paper end has occurred. The paper discharge sensor senses when the amount of stacked printed sheets discharged to the center tray 22 reaches a certain amount, for example, when the center tray 22 is full.

In the mfp 10 of embodiment 1, when the power of the mfp 10 is turned on (turned on), the home screen 100 as a basic screen shown in fig. 3 is displayed on the display 26 b. The home screen 100 is one of operation screens for operating the multifunction peripheral 10, so-called User Interface (UI) screens.

Specifically, the home screen 100 includes a band-shaped display area 120 and a main display area 140. The band-shaped display area 120 is a horizontally long band-shaped area occupying the upper part of the home screen 100. In the band-shaped display area 120, a plurality of, for example, 4 function selection

mini icons

122, 124, 126, and 128, which are soft keys, are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction. The function selection mini icon 122 on the left end is a copy function selection mini icon for selecting a copy function. The 2 nd function selection mini icon 124 from the left is a fax function selection mini icon for selecting a fax function. The 3 rd function selection mini icon 126 from the left is a scan function selection mini icon for selecting a scan function. The function selection mini icon 128 on the right end is a data transmission scan function selection mini icon for selecting a data transmission scan function.

Here, the data transmission scanning function is, for example, an extended function of the scanning function, and image data obtained by the scanning function (image reading processing by the image reading unit 12) is transmitted to an appropriate external device via the network. More specifically, the data transmission and scanning function includes 2 functions, i.e., a file server transmission and scanning function and a desktop transmission and scanning function. The File server transmission scan function is a function of transmitting image data obtained by the scan function to a designated FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server as an external device. The desktop transmission scan function is a function of transmitting image data obtained by the scan function to a designated personal computer as an external device.

Further, other soft keys such as an operation condition confirmation button 130 are provided on the side of the arrangement direction of the function selection

mini icons

122, 124, 126, and 128 in the band-shaped display area 120, for example, on the right side. The operation status confirmation button 130 is a button for confirming the status of the operation during, during standby, or after execution of the multifunction peripheral 10.

On the other hand, the main display area 140 is an area other than the band-shaped display area 120 in the home screen image 100, and is, for example, a rectangular area occupying most of the home screen image 100. In the main display area 140, a plurality of, for example, 4

function selection icons

142, 144, 146, and 148 as soft keys are arranged in a horizontal direction. These

function selection icons

142, 144, 146, and 148 are larger than the function selection

mini icons

122, 124, 126, and 128 in the belt-shaped display area 120, and have the same function as the function selection

mini icons

122, 124, 126, and 128. That is, the function selection icon 142 on the left end is a copy function selection icon for selecting the copy function, that is, the function thereof is the same as the copy function selection mini icon 122. The 2 nd function selection icon 144 from the left is a fax function selection icon for selecting a fax function, that is, the function thereof is the same as the fax function selection mini icon 124. The 3 rd function selection icon 146 from the left is a scan function selection icon for selecting a scan function, that is, it functions the same as the scan function selection mini icon 126. Also, the function selection icon 148 on the right end is a data transmission scan function selection icon for selecting a data transmission scan function, that is, the function thereof is the same as the data transmission scan function selection mini icon 128.

The home screen 100 shown in fig. 3 is an example of design. Although various elements such as software keys and character strings not shown in fig. 3 are arranged on the real-time home screen 100, elements not directly related to the purpose of the present invention are not shown here. Further, although detailed description including the illustration is omitted, the display content of the main display area 140 can be switched in units of pages. For example, when a slide operation is performed in either of the left and right directions in the main display area 140, the page of the main display area 140 is switched. The switched page is also provided with an appropriate function selection icon, for example, a function selection icon for selecting another function. The type of each function selection icon provided in each page can be arbitrarily changed by setting.

When the copy function selection mini icon 122 or the copy function selection icon 142 is operated on the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 3, for example, an operation screen image for the copy function, not shown, is displayed instead of the home screen image 100. With this operation screen for the copy function, an operation for using the copy function can be performed. Similarly, when the facsimile function selection mini icon 124 or the facsimile function selection icon 144 is operated, an operation screen for the facsimile function, not shown, is displayed instead of the home screen 100. When the scan function selection mini icon 126 or the scan function selection icon 146 is operated, an operation screen for the scan function, not shown, is displayed instead of the home screen 100. When the data transmission scan function selection mini icon 128 or the data transmission scan function selection icon 148 is operated, an operation screen for the data transmission scan function, not shown, is displayed instead of the home screen 100. However, the operation status confirmation button 130 is similarly provided on the operation screen for any function. When the operation condition confirmation button 130 is operated, an operation condition confirmation screen for confirming the operation condition is displayed.

Further, according to the multifunction peripheral 10 of embodiment 1, when a phenomenon occurs in which at least one of the plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 10 is or may be obstructed, the user can intuitively know the phenomenon including which kind of function is or may be obstructed by the phenomenon.

For example, when the remaining amount of black (Bk) toner decreases, for example, the remaining amount of black toner is small, the dialog 200 as a message screen shown in fig. 4 is displayed on the display 26 b. The dialog 200 contains a string 210 of appropriate messages corresponding to the phenomenon that has occurred, here the phenomenon of a low black toner residual. Therefore, the user can know that the multifunctional device 10 has a phenomenon corresponding to the message indicated by the character string 210, after seeing the notification by displaying the dialog 200 including the character string 210.

The dialog 200 includes a confirm button 220 as a soft key to which a character string "confirm" is attached. The dialog box 200 containing the decision button 220 is a so-called modal dialog box. That is, while the dialog 200 is displayed, the user does not operate the portion other than the determination button 220 on the display surface (home screen 100 in fig. 4) of the display 26 b. And, when the decision button 220 is operated, the dialog 200 disappears. Further, when the confirmation button 220 is not operated until a predetermined period of time elapses after the dialog 200 is displayed, the dialog 200 disappears. The fixed period as used herein means a period of time from several seconds to about 1 minute, for example, 20 seconds.

The design of the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 4 is merely an example. The design of the dialog box 200, including the size, shape, character string 210, and arrangement of the decision button 220 of the dialog box 200, is not limited to the design shown in fig. 4.

When the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 4 disappears and the home screen 100 is displayed again, the home screen 100 takes the form shown in fig. 5. That is, a logo 142a is attached as a display on the copy function selection icon 142. The fax function selection icon 144 is also provided with the same logo 144 a.

The logo 142a attached to the copy function selection icon 142 is a circular element having an outer shape smaller than the copy function selection icon 142 and representing an appropriate mark, for example, an exclamation mark. The logo 142a is attached to an appropriate portion of the copy function selection icon 142, for example, superimposed on the lower right corner of the copy function selection icon 142. The logo 142a indicates that a phenomenon such as the above-described phenomenon of the black toner having a small residual amount is occurring, which may cause an obstacle to the copying function. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that some phenomenon is occurring that may hinder the copy function, after seeing the display of the logo 142 a.

The logo 144a attached to the fax function selection icon 144 is also superimposed on the lower right corner portion of the fax function selection icon 144. The logo 144b indicates that a phenomenon such as a small black toner residual amount is occurring that may hinder the facsimile function. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that some phenomenon is occurring that may hinder the facsimile function after seeing the display of the logo 144 a.

In general, the user can intuitively know that a phenomenon that may hinder the copy function and a phenomenon that may hinder the copy function are occurring, through the home screen 100 including a so-called logo display shown in fig. 5. In other words, even if the user overlooks the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4, the user can know that a phenomenon that may cause a trouble in each of the copy function and the facsimile function is occurring on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 5. This is extremely advantageous in various aspects including use and management of the mfp 10.

When the copy function selection icon 142 with the logo 142a attached thereto is operated on the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 5, for example, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 4 is displayed on the display 26b instead. This also occurs when the copy function selection mini icon 122 is operated on the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 5. Therefore, the user can confirm that the black toner remaining amount is small after, for example, a re-notification is made by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by the logo 142a shown in fig. 5 is a phenomenon in which the black toner residual amount is small. When the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed for a certain period of time, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the copy function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100.

When the facsimile function selection icon 144 with the logo 144a attached thereto is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 5, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 4 is also displayed again on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the fax function selection mini icon 124 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 5. Therefore, the user can confirm that the black toner remaining amount is small after the user sees the re-notification by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by the logo 144a shown in fig. 5 is a phenomenon in which the black toner residual amount is small. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the facsimile function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100.

Further, when a phenomenon such as no black toner, for example, exhaustion of black toner occurs, the dialog 200 shown in fig. 6 is displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the notification is performed by displaying this dialog 200. The dialog 200 also includes a character string 210 indicating an appropriate message corresponding to a phenomenon that has occurred, here, a phenomenon of black toner depletion, similarly to the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4. The dialog 200 also includes an ok button 220. When the determination button 220 is operated or the dialog 200 is displayed for a certain period of time, the dialog 200 disappears.

In addition, when the home screen 100 is displayed again, the form of the home screen 100 is as shown in fig. 7. In the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 7, similarly to the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 5, a logo 142a is added to the copy function selection icon 142. Also, a logo 144a is attached to the fax function selection icon 144.

However, the logo 142a attached to the copy function selection icon 142 shown in fig. 7 is different from the logo 142a shown in fig. 5, and is more conspicuous than the logo 142a shown in fig. 5, for example. In particular, the logo 142a shown in fig. 7 is larger than the logo 142a shown in fig. 5, including the exclamation mark indicated thereon, and is attached with an appropriate color for easy attention, for example, red. The logo 142a shown in fig. 7 has a substantially square shape, for example, different from the logo 142a shown in fig. 5. The logo 142a shown in fig. 7 indicates that a phenomenon of black toner depletion, which is a phenomenon of hindrance to the copying function, in other words, a phenomenon of the copying function being unusable, is occurring. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that some phenomenon that hinders the copy function, that is, the copy function is not usable, has occurred after seeing the display of the logo 142 a.

On the other hand, the logo 144a attached to the fax function selection icon 144 shown in fig. 7 has the same shape as the logo 144a shown in fig. 5. That is, the logo 144a shown in fig. 7 indicates that a phenomenon such as black toner depletion is occurring, which may cause an obstacle to the facsimile function. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that some phenomenon is occurring, which may hinder the facsimile function, after seeing the display of the logo 144 a.

Here, the black toner end phenomenon does not hinder the facsimile transmission function of the facsimile function, although it hinders the facsimile reception function (more specifically, printing of data received by the facsimile reception function) of the facsimile function. Therefore, when the black toner end-up phenomenon occurs, the logo 144a attached to the facsimile function selection icon 144 is in the form shown in fig. 7, that is, in the form showing that a phenomenon that may hinder the facsimile function is occurring.

In this way, the user can intuitively know that the copying function is being hindered and that the copying function is possibly being hindered, based on the home screen 100 including the logo display shown in fig. 7.

When the copy function selection icon 142 with the logo 142a attached thereto is operated on the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 7, for example, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 6 is displayed again on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the copy function selection mini icon 122 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 7. Therefore, the user can confirm that the black toner is running out after viewing the re-notification by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 6. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon indicated by the logo 142a shown in fig. 7 is a black toner-out phenomenon. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the copy function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100. In addition, even if an operation screen for the copy function is displayed, the copy function cannot be used.

When the facsimile function selection icon 144 attached with the logo 144a is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 7, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 6 is also displayed again on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the fax function selection mini icon 124 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 7. Therefore, the user can confirm that the black toner-out is occurring after seeing the re-notification by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 6. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by the logo 144a shown in fig. 7 is a black toner-out phenomenon. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the facsimile function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100. Even if the operation screen for the facsimile function is displayed, only the facsimile transmission function of the facsimile functions can be used, and for example, the facsimile function can be used restrictively.

Further, for example, when a phenomenon of a network communication error in which communication through the network is impossible occurs, the dialog 200 shown in fig. 8 is displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the notification is performed by displaying the dialog 200. The dialog box 200 also contains a string 210 representing an appropriate message corresponding to the phenomenon that occurred, here a network communication error. Also, the dialog box 200 contains an ok button 220. When the determination button 220 is operated or the dialog 200 is displayed for a certain period of time, the dialog 200 disappears.

In addition, when the home screen 100 is displayed again, the home screen 100 has the form shown in fig. 9. In the home screen 100 shown in fig. 9, a logo 144a is attached to the facsimile function selection icon 144. A logo 146a is attached to the scan function selection icon 146. Also, a logo 148a is attached to the data transmission scan function selection icon 148.

The logo 144a attached to the fax function selection icon 144 has the same shape as the logo 144a shown in fig. 5 and 7. That is, the logo 144a shown in fig. 9 indicates that a phenomenon such as a network communication error is occurring, which may cause an obstacle to the facsimile function. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that some phenomenon is occurring, which may hinder the facsimile function, after seeing the display of the logo 144 a.

Here, the phenomenon of network communication error is an obstacle to facsimile communication via a network (so-called internet facsimile communication) in the facsimile function, but is not an obstacle to the above-described facsimile communication via a public telephone line. Therefore, when the network communication error occurs, the logo 144a attached to the facsimile function selection icon 144 is in the form shown in fig. 9, that is, in the form indicating that a phenomenon that may cause a trouble with the facsimile function is occurring.

The logo 146a attached to the scan function selection icon 146 shown in fig. 9 has the same shape as the logo 144a attached to the fax function selection icon 144. That is, the logo 146a shown in fig. 9 indicates that a phenomenon, such as a network communication error, is occurring, which may cause an obstacle to the scanning function. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that some phenomenon that may hinder the scanning function is occurring after seeing the display of the logo 146 a.

Here, as a basic function of the scanning function, there is a main body storing function of storing (storing) image data obtained by the scanning function (image reading processing by the image reading unit 12) in the auxiliary storage unit 32. The extended function of the scanning function includes, in addition to the above-described data transmission/scanning function (file server transmission/scanning function and desktop transmission/scanning function), an e-mail transmission/scanning function, a shared folder transmission/scanning function, and the like. The email transmission scan function refers to a function of adding image data obtained by the scan function to an email for transmission. In the email transmission scanning function, after image data obtained by the scanning function is stored in an arbitrary storage destination such as the auxiliary storage unit 32, information (for example, an IP (internet protocol) address) related to the storage destination of the image data may be transmitted by email. Also, the shared folder transmission scan function refers to a function of transmitting image data obtained by the scan function to a shared folder created in advance. The supply folder may be created in the auxiliary storage unit 32, or may be created on a personal computer, a server, or the like as an external device.

The main body storing function among such scanning functions is not particularly disadvantageous even when a network communication error occurs. Also, with regard to the shared folder transmission scanning function, when a shared folder is created in the auxiliary storage section 32, no trouble occurs due to occurrence of a network communication error. On the other hand, in the data transmission scanning function and the e-mail transmission scanning function, if a network communication error occurs, these functions cannot be used, that is, a trouble occurs. Further, with regard to the shared folder transmission scanning function, when a network communication error occurs when a shared folder is created on the external device side, the function cannot be used, that is, a trouble occurs. That is, a network communication error does not hinder all the scanning functions, but hinders a part of the scanning functions. Therefore, when a network communication error occurs, the logo 146a attached to the scan function selection icon 146 is in the form shown in fig. 9, that is, in the form indicating that a phenomenon that may cause a trouble with the scan function is occurring.

The logo 148a attached to the data transmission/scanning function selection icon 148 shown in fig. 9 is different from the

other logos

144a and 146a shown in fig. 9, and is the same as the logo 142a attached to the copy function selection icon 142 shown in fig. 7, for example. The logo 148a shown in fig. 9 indicates that a phenomenon such as a network communication error is occurring that obstructs the data transmission scanning function, in other words, a phenomenon that the data transmission scanning function cannot be used. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that the data transmission/scanning function is being disabled, that is, the data transmission/scanning function cannot be used, after seeing the display of the logo 148 a.

In summary, the user can intuitively know that a phenomenon that may hinder the facsimile function and a phenomenon that may hinder the scanning function are occurring, based on the home screen 100 including the logo display shown in fig. 9. Also, the user can intuitively know that a phenomenon in which the data transmission scanning function is being hindered occurs.

In the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 9, when the facsimile function selection icon 144 with the logo 144a attached thereto is operated, for example, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 8 is displayed again on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the fax function selection mini icon 124 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 9. Therefore, the user can confirm that a network communication error has occurred by viewing the re-notification performed by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 8. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by the logo 144a shown in fig. 9 is a phenomenon of network communication error. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the facsimile function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100. In addition, even if the operation screen for the facsimile function is displayed, only facsimile communication realized via the public telephone line in the facsimile function can be performed, that is, the facsimile function can be used limitedly.

When the scan function selection icon 146 with the logo 146a attached thereto is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 9, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 8 is also displayed again on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the scan function selection mini icon 126 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 9. Therefore, the user can confirm that a network communication error has occurred after the user has notified the re-display of the dialog 200 shown in fig. 8. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon indicated by the logo 146a shown in fig. 9 is a phenomenon of network communication error. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the scan function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100. Even if the operation screen for the scan function is displayed, only a part of the scan function including the main body save function can be used, that is, the scan function can be restrictively used.

When the data transmission/scanning function selection icon 148 with the logo 148a attached thereto is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 9, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 8 is also displayed again on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the data transmission scan function selection mini icon 128 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 9. Therefore, the user can confirm that a network communication error has occurred by viewing the re-notification performed by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 8. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by the logo 148a shown in fig. 9 is a phenomenon of network communication error. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the data transmission scanning function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100. In addition, even if an operation screen for the data transmission scanning function is displayed, the data transmission scanning function cannot be used.

Further, when a phenomenon that the amount of black toner remaining is small, for example, occurs and a phenomenon that paper is not in the paper feed cassette 20a of the tray [1], that is, paper is out occurs, a dialog 200 shown in fig. 10 is displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the notification is performed by displaying the dialog 200. The dialog box 200 also contains a string 210 of characters representing an appropriate message corresponding to the phenomenon that occurred, here the exhaustion of paper in the tray [1 ]. Also, the dialog box 200 contains an ok button 220. When the determination button 220 is operated or the dialog 200 is displayed for a certain period of time, the dialog 200 disappears.

In addition, when the home screen image 100 is displayed again, the home screen image 100 is in the form shown in fig. 11. On the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 11, 2

logos

142a and 142b are attached to the copy function selection icon 142. Also, 2

logos

144a and 144b are attached to the fax function selection icon 144.

One of the 2

logos

142a and 142b attached to the copy function selection icon 142, for example, the logo 142a indicates that a phenomenon of a small black toner residual amount is occurring. And, another logo 142b indicates that exhaustion of paper in the tray [1] is occurring. Strictly speaking, one of the logos 142a indicates that a phenomenon of higher priority, which will be described later, among 2 phenomena, namely, a phenomenon of a small amount of black toner and a phenomenon of paper exhaustion in the tray [1], is occurring, and here, a phenomenon of a small amount of black toner. The other logo 142b indicates that a phenomenon of lower priority, which will be described later, of the 2 types of phenomena is occurring, and here, a phenomenon in which the paper in the tray [1] runs out. One of the logos 142a, that is, the logo 142a showing the phenomenon of higher priority, which will be described later, among the 2 types of phenomena is displayed superimposed on the lower right corner of the copy function selection icon 142. The other logo 142b, that is, the logo 142b indicating that a phenomenon of lower priority, which will be described later, of the 2 types of phenomena is occurring, is attached to the left side of one of the logos 142a, in other words, is superimposed on the lower end portion of the copy function selection icon 142. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that 2 phenomena that may cause a trouble in the copy function are occurring after seeing the display of the 2

logos

142a and 142b attached to the copy function selection icon 142.

Even if the tray [1] runs out of paper, the other tray (paper feed cassette 20a) is designated as the paper feeder, and the copy function can be used. Therefore, when the paper in the tray [1] runs out, the logo 142b attached to the copy function selection icon 142 is in the form shown in fig. 11, that is, in the form showing that a phenomenon that the copy function may be interrupted is occurring. Further, the logo 142a indicating that the phenomenon of the small black toner residual amount is occurring, that is, the logo 142a indicating that the phenomenon of the small black toner residual amount is occurring, which may cause a trouble in the copy function, is in the form shown in fig. 11, like the logo 142a shown in fig. 5.

In addition, of the 2

logos

144a and 144b attached to the fax function selection icon 144 shown in fig. 11, for example, the logo 144a also indicates that a phenomenon in which the black toner is less in residual amount is occurring. The logo 144a is superimposed and attached to the lower right corner portion of the fax function selection icon 144. Also, another logo 144a indicates that exhaustion of paper in the tray [1] is occurring. The logo 144b is attached to the left side of one of the logos 144a, that is, overlapped and attached to the lower end portion of the fax function selection icon 144. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that 2 phenomena that may hinder the facsimile function are occurring after seeing the display of the 2

logos

144a and 144b attached to the facsimile function selection icon 144.

Here, although the paper in the tray [1] runs out, it will not hinder the facsimile reception function (strictly speaking, printing of data received by the facsimile reception function) in the facsimile function, but will not hinder the facsimile transmission function in the facsimile function. Therefore, when the paper in the tray [1] runs out, the logo 144b attached to the facsimile function selection icon 144 is in the form shown in fig. 11, that is, in the form showing that a phenomenon that the facsimile function may be obstructed is occurring. Further, the logo 144a indicating that the phenomenon of the low black toner residual amount is occurring, that is, the logo 144a indicating that the phenomenon of the low black toner residual amount is occurring, which may hinder the facsimile function, is in the form shown in fig. 11, similarly to the logo 144a shown in fig. 5.

In general, when a plurality of phenomena are occurring, logos are displayed for the phenomena, respectively. Therefore, the user can intuitively know that 2 types of phenomena that may hinder the copy function and 2 types of phenomena that may hinder the copy function are occurring on the basis of the home screen 100 including the logo display shown in fig. 11.

When the copy function selection icon 142 to which 2

logos

142a and 142b are added is operated on the home screen image 100 shown in fig. 11, for example, the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4 is displayed again on the display 26 b. Specifically, the dialog 200 corresponding to a higher priority phenomenon described later, in this case, a phenomenon of a small black toner residual amount, of the 2 types of phenomena indicated by the 2

logos

142a and 142b is displayed on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the copy function selection mini icon 122 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 11. Therefore, the user can confirm that the black toner remaining amount is small after the user sees the re-notification by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by one of the 2

logos

142a and 142b is a phenomenon in which the amount of black toner remaining is small. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears.

When the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 4 thus disappears, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 10 is then redisplayed on the display 26 b. That is, the dialog 200 corresponding to a phenomenon of lower priority, which will be described later, of the 2 phenomena indicated by the 2

logos

142a and 142b, here, a phenomenon in which the paper in the tray [1] runs out, is displayed on the display 26 b. Therefore, the user can confirm that the paper in the tray [1] is running out after the user sees the notice by displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 10 again. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon indicated by the other of the 2

logos

142a and 142b is the exhaustion of paper in the tray [1 ]. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the copy function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100.

In addition, when the facsimile function selection icon 144 with 2

logos

144a and 144b attached thereto is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 11, the dialog box 200 shown in fig. 4 is newly displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the dialog 200 corresponding to the phenomenon with the highest priority described later, in this case, the phenomenon with the small black toner remaining amount, among the 2 phenomena indicated by the 2

logos

144a and 144b, is displayed on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the fax function selection mini icon 124 is operated on the home screen 100 shown in fig. 11. Therefore, the user can confirm that the black toner remaining amount is small after the user sees the re-notification by re-displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 4. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by one of the 2

logos

144a and 144b is that the black toner residual amount is small. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears.

logos

144a and 144b, here, a phenomenon in which the paper in the tray [1] runs out, is displayed on the display 26 b. Therefore, the user can confirm that the paper in the tray [1] is running out after the user sees the notice by displaying the dialog 200 shown in fig. 10 again. In other words, the user can confirm that the phenomenon represented by the other of the 2

logos

144a and 144b is exhaustion of paper in the tray [1 ]. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, the operation screen for the facsimile function described above is displayed on the display 26b in place of the home screen 100.

Fig. 12 shows a list of phenomena that may or may not cause a trouble with at least one of the plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 10, and in this list, 9 phenomena are assumed, specifically, in addition to the above-described various phenomena such as the black toner being used up (toner [ Bk ] being used up), a network communication error, a black toner having a small residual amount (toner [ Bk ] being small), and paper being used up in a tray [ # ] (# ═ 1 to 4) including the tray [1], a phenomenon that firmware is updated is assumed, and various phenomena such as paper jam, a color toner being used up (toner [ ＊ ] (＊ ═ C, Y, M), a color toner having a small residual amount (toner [ ＊ ] (＊ ═ C, Y, M)), and a center tray being full.

Each phenomenon is attached with an individual phenomenon number (No.). This phenomenon number is also an index indicating the priority of the corresponding phenomenon. For example, the smaller the value of the phenomenon number of a phenomenon is, the higher the priority is, and the larger the value of the phenomenon number is, the lower the priority is. The priority may be determined appropriately according to the nature (significance, erasability, etc.) of the phenomenon.

The relationships between the various phenomena and the functions of the multifunction peripheral 10 are defined for each phenomenon. Here, as the plurality of functions provided in the multifunction peripheral 10, in addition to the copy function, the facsimile function, the scanner function, the data transmission scanner function, the e-mail transmission scanner function, and the shared folder scanner function, the filing function and the address book function can be exemplified. The filing function is a function of storing image data obtained by the scanning function, data received by the facsimile function, and the like in the auxiliary storage unit 32 or an external storage device (not shown) (for example, a USB (Universal serial bus) memory). The address book function is a function for managing recipient information such as a facsimile number used in the facsimile function and an electronic mail address used in the electronic mail transmission/scanning function.

For example, attention is paid to a firmware update phenomenon which causes a trouble with all of the plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 10, that is, the above-described relationship with each of the plurality of functions. Further, the jam may cause an obstacle to the copy function, the facsimile function, and the other functions. Similarly, the black toner run-out also hinders the copy function, possibly the copy function, and does not hinder the other functions. The exhaustion of the color toner may cause an obstacle to the copy function and the facsimile function, and may not cause an obstacle to the other functions. The phenomenon of network communication error causes an obstacle to the data transmission scanning function and the e-mail transmission scanning function, may cause an obstacle to the facsimile function, the scanning function, the supply folder function, and the filing function, and does not cause an obstacle to the other functions. The phenomenon of the small amount of the black toner remaining may cause a trouble in the copy function and the facsimile function, and does not cause a trouble in the other functions. Similarly, the low remaining amount of the color toner may hinder the copy function and the facsimile function, and may not hinder the other functions. The phenomenon of exhaustion of paper in the tray [ # ] may also cause a trouble with the copy function and the fax function, and does not cause a trouble with the other functions. Further, the fact that the center tray is filled up may cause an obstacle to the copy function and the facsimile function, and may not cause an obstacle to the other functions.

According to embodiment 1, the notification, logo display, and re-notification are performed as described above, and the phenomenon table 300 shown in fig. 13 is prepared to realize these. The phenomenon table 300 is created based on the list shown in fig. 12. In the phenomenon table 300, data indicating a phenomenon number, text data as original data of the character string 210 in the dialog 200, and data indicating a relationship with a plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 10 are stored for each phenomenon. The phenomenon table 300 is stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory of the main storage unit 30 b. In fig. 13, a diagonal pattern is given to a portion showing a relationship of causing a failure or a possibility of causing a failure, and this diagonal pattern (data showing the diagonal pattern) is not stored in the real-time phenomenon table 300 in consideration of visibility of fig. 13 in a manner similar to that of fig. 12.

Then, the state management table 400 shown in fig. 14 is prepared. The state management table 400 stores data indicating a phenomenon occurring at the present time, in other words, a phenomenon that is not eliminated, in the mfp 10, and more specifically, data indicating a phenomenon number of the phenomenon. Further, a management number (No.) is added to the data indicating the phenomenon number stored in the state management table 400 in the order of occurrence of each phenomenon. The state management table 400 is also stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory of the main storage unit 30 b.

Further, although the drawings are omitted, a temporary storage table of the storage contents of the direct copy state management table 400 at a certain point in time is prepared. The time when the stored contents of the state management table 400 are copied into the temporary storage table will be described in detail later. The temporary storage table is also stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory of the main storage unit 30 b.

In addition, a re-notification management table 500 shown in fig. 15 is prepared. The re-notification management table 500 is used when the re-notification is performed, and more specifically, when a re-notification task described later is executed. As will be described in detail later, the usage of the re-notification management table 500 is such that data of a phenomenon number indicating a phenomenon to be a re-notification target among the phenomena occurring at the current time point is stored in the re-notification management table 500. An appropriate management number (No.) is added to the data indicating the phenomenon number. The re-notification management table 500 is also stored in a rewritable nonvolatile memory of the main storage unit 30 b.

The occurrence of various phenomena can be grasped by the CPU30a, and more specifically, the following is grasped. For example, the firmware update is grasped by the user performing a predetermined firmware update operation. The jam is detected based on the result of sensing by the paper conveyance sensor. The black toner end and the color toner end, and the low black toner remaining amount and the low color toner remaining amount are grasped by communication with the image forming portion 18. The network communication error is grasped by communication with the communication unit 34. The paper end in each paper feed cassette 20a is detected based on the sensing result of the paper feed sensor. The fact that the center tray is full is detected by the paper discharge sensor.

Here, fig. 16 shows a memory map 600 conceptually showing the configuration in the RAM of the main storage unit 30 b.

As shown in the memory map 600, the RAM of the main storage unit 30b has a program storage area 610 and a data storage area 650. The program storage area 610 stores the control program. The control programs include a display control program 612, an operation detection program 614, an image reading program 616, an image forming program 618, a communication control program 620, and an input/output control program 622. The control programs include a status management program 624, a notification program 626, a display update program 628, a home screen display program 630, a re-notification program 632, and the like.

The display control program 612 is used to generate display screen data necessary for displaying various screens such as the home screen 100 and the dialog 200 on the display 26 b. The operation detection program 614 is a program for detecting the operated state of the operation unit 26, particularly the touch panel 26 a. The image reading program 616 is used to control the image reading section 12. The image forming program 618 controls the image forming section 18. The communication control program 620 is used to control the communication unit 34. The input/output control program 622 is used to transmit and receive signals to and from various electrical components including the above-described paper conveyance sensor, paper feed sensor, and paper discharge sensor via the input/output interface unit 36.

The state management program 624 is used to cause the CPU30a to execute a state management task described later. The notification program 626 causes the CPU30a to execute a notification task described later. The display update program 628 is used to cause the CPU30a to execute a display update task described later. The home screen display program 630 is used to cause the CPU30a to execute a home screen display task described later. The re-notification program 632 is used to cause the CPU30a to execute a re-notification task described later.

On the other hand, various data are stored in the data storage area 650. The various data include display image generation data 652, operation data 654, and the like.

The display image generation data 652 is data such as planar data and texture data used when generating display screen data according to the display control program 612. The operation data 654 indicates the operated state of the touch panel 26a, and more specifically, data indicating the timing of the touch position (coordinates) of the user on the touch panel 26 a.

Also, the CPU30a executes the status management task according to the status management program 624. The flow of processing in this state management task is shown in fig. 17. When the operation mode of the mfp 10 is the normal mode, the state management task is executed periodically, and is repeatedly executed at relatively short time intervals (cycles) such as several seconds to several minutes. When the state management task is executed for the first time, for example, immediately after the power of the multifunction peripheral 10 is turned on, the temporary storage table is initialized, that is, the contents of the temporary storage table are deleted.

In response to the status management task, the CPU30a first checks the status of the mfp 10 in step S1, and more specifically checks whether a phenomenon occurs that may cause a failure or may cause a failure in at least one of the plurality of functions of the mfp 10. Also, the CPU30a returns the process to step S3.

In step S3, the CPU30a updates the state management table 400 according to the confirmation result in step S1. Specifically, when a phenomenon occurs in which at least one of the plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 10 is disabled or may be disabled, the CPU30a stores data indicating the phenomenon, specifically, data indicating a phenomenon number of the phenomenon, in the state management table 400. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S5.

In step S5, the CPU30a refers to the temporary storage table. In addition, when the step S5 is executed for the first time, that is, the state management task including the step S5 is executed for the first time, the temporary storage table is initialized, that is, the state in which no data is stored is set as described above. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S7.

In step S7, CPU30a compares the contents stored in state management table 400 with the contents stored in the temporary storage table, and determines whether the state of mfp 10 has changed, in other words, whether the state of occurrence of the phenomenon has changed. Here, for example, when the occurrence state of the phenomenon does not change (S7: no), the CPU30a ends the state management task. On the other hand, when the occurrence state of the phenomenon changes (S7: YES), the CPU30a advances the process to step S9.

In step S9, the CPU30a determines whether the change in the occurrence state of the phenomenon in step S7 indicates the occurrence of a new phenomenon. Here, for example, if a new phenomenon occurs (S9: yes), the CPU30a advances the process to step S11. On the other hand, if a new phenomenon does not occur, that is, some phenomenon is eliminated (S9: no), the CPU30a advances the process to step S15 described later.

In step S11, the CPU30a specifies a newly occurring phenomenon. Then, the CPU30a advances the process to step S13 to issue a notification about the newly occurring phenomenon.

In step S13, the CPU30a executes a notification task in accordance with the notification program 626. As for the notification task, which will be described in detail later, by executing the notification task, the dialog 200 is displayed to perform notification. After executing the notification task in this step S13, the CPU30a advances the process to step S15.

In step S15, the CPU30a executes a display update task in accordance with the display update program 628. As will be described in detail later, in the case where the home screen 100 is displayed when the display update task is executed, the home screen 100 is displayed again, and the display content of the home screen 100 is updated, for example. After executing the display update task of this step S15, the CPU30a advances the process to step S17.

In step S17, the CPU30a updates the temporary storage table, and specifically, directly copies the stored contents of the state management table 400 to the temporary storage table. After this step S17 is performed, the CPU30a ends the state management task.

Next, the notification task of step S13 will be described. The flow of processing in this notification task is shown in fig. 18.

In response to this notification task, the CPU30a first resets a timer for counting the predetermined period in step S101 and then starts the timer. The timer is, for example, a software timer constituted by the CPU30a, but may be a hardware timer constituted by a circuit different from the CPU30 a. After executing this step S101, the CPU30a advances the process to step S103.

In step S103, the CPU30a starts issuing a notification about the newly occurring phenomenon. That is, the CPU30a starts displaying the dialog 200 including the character string 210 corresponding to the newly generated phenomenon on the display 26 b. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S105.

In step S105, the CPU30a determines whether the timer for counting the fixed period has reached time, that is, whether the 1 st period Ta has elapsed after the start of the count of the fixed period. Here, for example, when a certain period of time has elapsed (yes in S105), the CPU30a advances the process to step S109 described later. On the other hand, if the predetermined period has not elapsed (no in S105), the CPU30a advances the process to step S107.

In step S107, the CPU30a determines whether the ok button 220 of the dialog 200 is operated. Here, for example, when the determination button 220 is operated, that is, the determination button 220 is operated in the course of the lapse of the certain period (S107: yes), the CPU30a advances the process to step S109. On the other hand, when the determination button 220 is not operated (S107: NO), the CPU30a returns the process to step S105.

In step S109, the CPU30a ends the display of the dialog 200, that is, ends the notification of the display of the dialog 200. Thereafter, the CPU30a ends the notification task.

Next, the display update task of step S15 will be described. The flow of processing in this display update task is shown in fig. 19.

In accordance with the display update task, the CPU30a first determines in step S201 whether the home screen 100 is currently being displayed. Here, for example, if the home screen image 100 is not displayed (S201: no), the CPU30a ends the display update task. On the other hand, if the home screen image 100 is being displayed (yes in S201), the CPU30a advances the process to step S203.

In step S203, the CPU30a refers to the state management table 400. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S205.

In step S205, the CPU30a redisplays the home screen 100 based on the result of reference to the state management table 400 in step S203. At this time, when some phenomenon is occurring, in other words, there is an unapproved phenomenon, a logo corresponding to the phenomenon is displayed. After executing this step S205, the CPU30a ends the display update task.

Then, the CPU30a executes the home screen display task in accordance with the home screen display program. The flow of processing in this home screen display task is shown in fig. 20. The home screen display task is executed when a predetermined condition for displaying the home screen 100 is satisfied. The predetermined conditions described here include turning on the power of the multifunction device 10, operating the home button 26d (return home operation), and operating the power saving button 26c (mode switching operation) when the operation mode of the multifunction device 10 is the power saving mode.

According to the home screen display task, the CPU30a first refers to the state management table 400 in step S301. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S303.

In step S303, the CPU30a displays the home screen 100 according to the result of reference to the state management table 400 in step S301. At this time, when some phenomenon, in other words, a phenomenon that is not eliminated, is occurring, a logo corresponding to the phenomenon is displayed. After executing this step S303, the CPU30a ends the home screen display task.

Then, the CPU30a executes the re-notification task in accordance with the re-notification program 632 described above. The flow of processing in this re-notification task is shown in fig. 21. The re-notification task includes any one of the above-described function selection

mini icons

122, 124, 126, and 128 and

function selection icons

142, 144, 146, and 148, and when a function selection operation for selecting any one of a plurality of functions included in the multifunction peripheral 10 is performed, the re-notification task is performed in response to the function selection operation.

According to the re-notification task, the CPU30a first refers to the state management table 400 in step S401. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S403.

In step S403, the CPU30a creates the re-notification management table 500 in accordance with the result of reference of the status management table 400 in step S401. Specifically, the CPU30a extracts data concerning only the function that causes a trouble or may cause a trouble phenomenon with respect to the function corresponding to the function selection operation as the execution trigger of the re-notification task from the state management table 400, and stores the extracted data in the re-notification management table 500. The data stored in the re-notification management table 500 is added with the appropriate management number as described above. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S405.

In step S405, the CPU30a refers to the re-notification management table 500. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S407.

In step S407, the CPU30a determines whether or not there is a phenomenon that is a re-notification target, that is, whether or not some data is stored in the re-notification management table 500, based on the result of reference to the re-notification management table 500 in step S405. Here, for example, when there is no phenomenon as a re-notification target, that is, when no data is stored in the re-notification management table 500 (S407: no), the CPU30a advances the process to step S409. On the other hand, when there is a phenomenon that is a notification target, that is, some data is stored in the re-notification management table 500 (yes in S407), the CPU30a advances the process to step S411 described later.

In step S409, the CPU30a displays an operation screen corresponding to a function selection operation that triggers execution of the re-notification task on the display 26 b. After that, the CPU30a ends the re-notification task.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds from step S407 to step S411, the CPU30a specifies any phenomenon to be notified again in step S411. Specifically, the phenomenon having the highest priority is specified from among the data stored in the re-notification management table 500, that is, the phenomena to be re-notified. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S413.

In step S413, the CPU30a resets the timer for counting the predetermined period and then starts it. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S415.

In step S415, the CPU30a starts issuing a re-notification about the phenomenon specified in step S411. That is, the CPU30a starts to display the dialog 200 including the character string 210 corresponding to the phenomenon on the display 26 b. Also, the CPU30a advances the process to step S417.

In step S417, the CPU30a determines whether or not the timer for counting the fixed period has reached time, that is, whether or not the 1 st period Ta has elapsed after the start of the counting of the fixed period. Here, for example, when a certain period of time has elapsed (S417: yes), the CPU30a advances the process to step S421 described later. On the other hand, if the predetermined period of time has not elapsed (no in S417), the CPU30a advances the process to step S419.

In step S419, the CPU30a determines whether the ok button 220 of the dialog 200 is operated. Here, for example, when the determination button 220 is operated, that is, the determination button 220 is operated in the course of the lapse of the certain period (S419: yes), the CPU30a advances the process to step S421. On the other hand, when it is determined that the button 220 is not operated (S419: no), the CPU30a returns the process to step S4175.

In step S419, the CPU30a ends the display of the dialog 200, that is, ends the re-notification of the display of the dialog 200. Then, the CPU30a advances the process to step S423.

In step S423, the CPU30a updates the re-notification management table 500, that is, deletes data relating to the phenomenon of re-notification from the re-notification management table 500. Also, the CPU30a returns the process to step S405.

As described above, according to the embodiment 1, when a phenomenon occurs in which at least any one of a plurality of functions of the multifunction peripheral 10 is or may be impaired, the user can intuitively know the phenomenon including which function is or may be impaired by the phenomenon. This is extremely advantageous in various aspects including use and management of the mfp 10.

Further, the function selection icons including the

function selection icons

142, 144, 146, and 148 in embodiment 1 are examples of operators of the present invention. The operation of the function selection icon, that is, the function selection operation is an example of the selection operation of the present invention.

The home screen 100 is displayed under the control of the CPU30a, and the CPU30a is an example of the display control means of the present invention. More specifically, the CPU30a that executes the display update task shown in fig. 19 and the home screen display task shown in fig. 20 is an example of the display control means of the present invention.

When a certain phenomenon occurs, a dialog box 200 corresponding to the phenomenon is displayed, and the dialog box 200 is an example of the 1 st screen of the present invention, in other words, an example of the 1 st information of the present invention. The dialog box 200 is displayed under the control of the CPU30a, and the CPU30a cooperates with the display 26b to constitute an example of the 1 st information output means of the present invention. More specifically, the CPU30a that executes the notification task shown in fig. 18 constitutes an example of the 1 st information output unit of the present invention in cooperation with the display 26 b.

When the multifunction peripheral 10 has an audio output unit such as a speaker, not shown, a message having the same content as the character string 210 included in the dialog 200 may be output in the form of audio by the audio output unit. That is, in addition to or instead of the audible notification as in the case of the dialog box 200 being displayed, the notification may be made in a visual form such as an audio output message.

In the present embodiment 1, the notification is performed only with respect to the newly occurring phenomenon when the notification is performed, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the notification may be performed sequentially for all phenomena that have not been eliminated at the point in time, including the phenomenon that has occurred at the point in time when the new phenomenon occurred. The order of the notification is preferably determined according to the priority described above.

In the embodiment 1, when the function of displaying the logo is selected by the function selection operation, the dialog box 200 is displayed again, that is, the re-notification is performed, and the dialog box 200 displayed for the re-notification is an example of the 2 nd screen of the present invention, that is, the 2 nd information of the present invention. The dialog 200 for re-notification is displayed under the control of the CPU30a, and the CPU30a cooperates with the display 26b to constitute an example of the 2 nd information output means of the present invention. More specifically, the CPU30a that executes the notification task shown in fig. 21 constitutes an example of the 2 nd information output unit of the present invention in cooperation with the display 26 b.

When the re-notification is issued, the re-notification may be performed in an audible form such as display of the dialog 200 or, instead, in a visual form such as an audio output message.

In the embodiment 1, when the re-notification is performed, the re-notification is performed only for the phenomenon related to the selected function, but the re-notification is not limited to this. For example, the re-notification may be performed sequentially for all phenomena that are not eliminated at that time point. The order of the re-notification is also preferably determined according to the priority.

The function selection operation as a trigger for the re-notification is an example of the information output operation of the present invention. Further, the function selection operation is received by any one of the function selection icons including the

function selection icons

142, 144, 146, and 148 or any one of the function selection

mini icons

122, 124, 126, and 128, but these software keys that receive the function selection operation are examples of the operation receiving means of the present invention. As the operation reception means, a dedicated soft key or hard key may be provided.

In embodiment 1, the dialog 200 is a modal dialog including the ok button 220, but is not limited thereto. That is, a modeless (modeless) dialog box without the ok button 220 may also be employed. In this case, it is desirable that the modeless dialog box disappears when some operation is performed or the above-described certain period of time elapses.

In embodiment 1, a logo is appropriately displayed on each function selection icon including each

function selection icons

142, 144, 146, and 148, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in addition to or instead of displaying a logo for each function selection icon, a logo may be displayed for each function selection

mini icon

122, 124, 126, and 128.

[ example 2]

Next, embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 22.

In embodiment 2, the home screen 100 when the black toner run out occurs has the form shown in fig. 22. That is, the copy function is hindered by the black toner end, and the copy function selection icon 142 for selecting the copy function is displayed in gray, that is, in a different form from the other

function selection icons

144, 146, and 148 shown in fig. 22. Then, the operation of the copy function selection icon 142 is not accepted by this graying out.

In fig. 22, the copy function selection icon 142 is shaded with diagonal lines, so that the copy function selection icon 142 is displayed in gray. The state shown in fig. 22 corresponds to the state shown in fig. 7 in embodiment 1, for example. In the state shown in fig. 22, the operation of selecting the mini icon 122 by the copy function cannot be accepted. In this case, although the drawing is omitted, the copy function selection mini icon 122 may be displayed in gray.

In the state shown in fig. 22, the operation of each of the copy function selection icon 142 and the copy function selection mini icon 122 cannot be accepted as described above. On the other hand, when the logo 142a attached to the copy function selection icon 142 is operated, the dialog 200 shown in fig. 6 is displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the logo 142a indicating that the copy function is being hindered functions as an operation key for displaying the dialog 200. Therefore, the user can confirm that the phenomenon indicated by the logo 142a is black toner-out, based on the contents of the dialog 200 (character string 210) displayed in response to the operation of the logo 142 a. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, it returns to the state shown in fig. 22, that is, to the state in which the home screen 100 is displayed instead of the operation screen for the copy function. In general, when a phenomenon of causing a trouble to the copy function occurs, the operation screen for the copy function is not displayed, and therefore, the copy function cannot be used.

In the state shown in fig. 22, when the facsimile function selection icon 144 with the logo 144a attached thereto is operated, the dialog 200 shown in fig. 6 is also displayed on the display 26 b. This also occurs when the fax function selection mini icon 124 is operated in the state shown in fig. 22. Also, when the logo 144a attached to the fax function selection icon 144 is operated, the dialog 200 shown in fig. 6 may be displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the logo 144a may also function as an operation key for displaying the dialog box 200. Then, when the ok button 220 of the dialog box 200 is operated or the dialog box 200 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box 200 disappears. Thereafter, an operation screen for the facsimile function is displayed on the display 26b instead of the home screen 100. However, even if the operation screen for the facsimile function is displayed, only the facsimile transmission function among the facsimile functions can be used, that is, the facsimile function can be used limitedly.

In addition, when a phenomenon occurs that any function other than the copy function is disabled, the function selection icon for selecting the function is grayed out, and thus the operation of the function selection icon cannot be accepted. Further, the operation of selecting the mini icon for the corresponding function cannot be accepted. In this case, the function selection mini icon may be grayed out. A logo is attached to the grayed-out function selection icon, and the logo is displayed in the same form as the icon 142a in fig. 22, that is, in a striking form. When an icon attached to the grayed-out function selection icon is operated, a dialog box indicating the content of the phenomenon represented by the icon is displayed on the display 26 b. That is, the logo added to the grayed-out function selection icon functions as an operation key of a dialog box for displaying the content indicating the phenomenon indicated by the logo. This dialog box also contains an ok button as in the dialog box 200 described above. Then, when the determination button is operated or a dialog box is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog box disappears. Thereafter, the state before the dialog box is displayed is returned, that is, the home screen is displayed again.

According to the 2 nd embodiment, the user can intuitively grasp the function that is obstructed, that is, the function that cannot be used, due to the occurrence of some phenomenon. This is extremely advantageous in various aspects including use and management of the mfp 10.

The detailed description including the illustration is omitted, and the gray display in the present embodiment 2 is performed by the CPU30 a. The CPU30a is an example of the invalidation unit of the present invention. Further, the color is not limited to gray display, and appropriate colors, patterns, and the like may be added.

[ example 3 ]

Next, embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 23.

In embodiment 3, a dialog 700 shown in fig. 23 is displayed on the display 26b as a notification or re-notification when a plurality of phenomena are occurring. The dialog box 700 includes

strings

710 and 712 representing 2 messages corresponding to a plurality, e.g., 2, of phenomena that are occurring (not eliminated), respectively. Here, an example is shown in which 2 phenomena, that is, a small amount of black toner remaining and a paper depletion in the tray [1], are occurring. Therefore, the user can know at a glance (collectively) that 2 phenomena, that is, a plurality of phenomena corresponding to the messages represented by the

character strings

710 and 712 are occurring, based on the notification or re-notification by displaying the dialog 700 including the

character strings

710 and 712.

In addition, the dialog 700 in embodiment 3 is also a modal dialog including the determination button 720. Accordingly, by operating the determination button 220, the dialog 700 disappears. After the dialog 700 is displayed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the dialog 700 disappears. Further, although detailed description including illustration is omitted, the dialog 700 including the character string indicating the plurality of messages corresponding to the plurality of phenomena is displayed, as in the case where the plurality of other phenomena occur.

According to the present embodiment 3, particularly when a plurality of phenomena are occurring, the user can know the contents of the plurality of phenomena at a glance. This is extremely advantageous in various aspects including use and management of the mfp 10.

In the present embodiment 3, a modeless dialog box may be used instead of the dialog box 700 as a modal dialog box. In this case, it is desirable that the modeless dialog box disappear after a certain operation is performed or after the above-described certain period of time has elapsed.

[ other application examples ]

The above examples are specific examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can be applied to other embodiments than the above-described embodiments.

For example, although the image forming unit is the image forming unit 18 of the electrophotographic system, an image forming unit of the inkjet system may be used instead. In this case, instead of the case where the toner remaining amounts of black and color are small, the ink remaining amount is small. Further, instead of the toner of black and color running out, a phenomenon of ink running out occurs.

In the embodiments, the example in which the present invention is applied to the mfp 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to image forming apparatuses other than the mfp 10. The present invention is also applicable to electric devices other than image forming apparatuses. As an electric device to which the present invention can be applied, there is a humidified air cleaning warmer, for example.

That is, the humidified air cleaning heater has a plurality of functions such as a function of a humidifier, a function of an air cleaner, and a function of a heater (or a blower). In this humidified air cleaning warmer, even if the humidifying water is used up, for example, the humidified air cleaning warmer can be used as an air cleaner and also as a warmer. Also, the humidified air cleaning warmer can be used as a humidifier and also as a warmer even if the filter for air cleaning is dirty. The invention can also be applied to the humidifying air cleaning warmer.

More extremely, the invention can be applied to the electrical equipment externally provided with the display unit.

Description of the reference numerals

10 combination machine

26 operating unit

26a touch panel

26b display

30 control part

30a CPU

100 homepage picture

142. 144, 146, 148 function selection icons

142a, 142b, 144a, 144b, 146a, 148a logo

200 dialog box

Claims

1. An electrical device having multiple functions, the electrical device characterized by,

the electric device includes a display control unit that displays an operation screen including a plurality of operators on a display surface of the display unit, the operators corresponding to the plurality of functions and capable of receiving a selection operation by a user for selecting any one of the plurality of functions,

when a phenomenon that at least any one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or may be obstructed occurs, the display control unit adds a display symbol indicating that the phenomenon occurs to the operator corresponding to each of the functions that are obstructed or may be obstructed by the phenomenon.

2. The electrical device of claim 1,

the display control means adds the indicator in a form corresponding to a relationship between the function corresponding to the operator to which the indicator is added and the phenomenon represented by the indicator.

3. The electrical device of claim 1 or 2,

when a plurality of the phenomena occur, the display control unit attaches the display symbol for each of the phenomena.

4. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 3,

and a 1 st information output unit that inputs 1 st information related to the phenomenon when the phenomenon occurs.

5. The electrical device of claim 4,

the 1 st information output means displays a 1 st screen including the 1 st information on the display surface.

6. The electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

an operation reception unit operable to receive an information output operation by the user; and

and a 2 nd information output unit that outputs 2 nd information regarding the phenomenon that is not eliminated at a point in time when the operation reception unit has received the information output operation.

7. The electrical device of claim 6,

the 2 nd information output means displays a 2 nd screen including the 2 nd information on the display surface.

8. The electrical device of claim 7,

when a plurality of the phenomena are not eliminated at the time point when the operation accepting unit accepts the information output operation, the 2 nd information outputting unit displays the 2 nd screen including a plurality of the 2 nd information related to the plurality of the phenomena.

9. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 8,

and an invalidation unit that disables the operator corresponding to the function that is obstructed by the phenomenon from accepting the selection operation.

10. The electrical device of claim 9,

the display control means displays the operator that has become unable to accept the selection operation by the invalidation means in a form different from the form of the other operators.

11. The electrical device of any one of claims 1 to 10,

the display unit is also provided.

12. The electrical apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electrical apparatus is a compound machine.

13. A storage medium storing a status management program in an electric device having a plurality of functions, the storage medium characterized in that,

the state management program causes a computer of the electrical device to execute the steps of:

a display control procedure for displaying an operation screen including a plurality of operators on a display surface of a display unit, the operators corresponding to the plurality of functions and capable of receiving a selection operation by a user for selecting any one of the plurality of functions,

in the display control sequence, when a phenomenon that at least any one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or possibly obstructed occurs, a display symbol indicating that the phenomenon occurs is attached to the operator corresponding to each of the functions in which the phenomenon is obstructed or possibly obstructed.

14. A state management method for an electric device having a plurality of functions, characterized in that,

the state management method further includes a display control step of displaying an operation screen including a plurality of operators, which correspond to the plurality of functions, are capable of receiving a selection operation by a user for selecting any one of the plurality of functions, and are capable of displaying the operation screen on a display surface of the display unit

In the display control step, when a phenomenon that at least any one of the plurality of functions is obstructed or may be obstructed occurs, a display symbol indicating that the phenomenon occurs is attached to the operator corresponding to each of the functions in which the phenomenon is obstructed or may be obstructed.